Lust in the Lost City

[roll to seduce]

Grom strokes his beard, trying to make sense of these maps, he wasn't exactly very well learned in the matter. 

He turned to Syndra, putting the now empty bottle of wine on the table.

"So it's draining you, I assume you'd like we destroy the thing before you pass, or do you believe it'll return your soul back to you afterwards and everything is fine? I'm asking as we might get side tracked. You know with treasure and monsters and such."

(Grom has forgotten about his hammer and is completely ready to leave it behind.)

[WickedCadrach]

Fel's description of the Soulmonger's power, alongside Syndra's confirmation of the implications, made Inoria's stomach clench. The wine seemed to sour in her mouth as she swallowed her current sip, and a sense of foreboding settled over her like a chill morning mist. 

"That's horrible," she said faintly. "I know of the undead from my training in the temple, and I have studied the Sunite rites to turn them. But I've never seen one before. To think of a continent teeming with them..." Inoria's slim shoulders pinched as a shiver ran through her, though she looked to Felaris afterward and gave her soft look of gratitude. "I'm blessed to be traveling in the company of someone so learned, Felaris." And reaching out, Inoria put a hand over the half-harengon woman's wrist in a chaste show of appreciation and solidarity. 

At Grom's question, Inoria blinked in nearly scandalized shock. Side-tracked? Distracted by treasure? She nearly said something right then and there. The idea of leaving these people, leaving Lady Syndra and no less, Inoria's own mother, to suffer one more second than was necessary seemed monstrous to her. But despite having spent the last couple weeks in the company of rough men while making her journey south, Inoria felt a renewed sense of intimidation at the dwarf's appearance and blunt nature. So, she held her tongue and silently resolved that if this mercenary was distracted with treasure, she would do as her conscience dictated, even if it meant forging ahead on her own. 

[DreamsnThings]

Fel bristled slightly at groms... lack of tact in his phrasing... but she had to take a moment to address the thought... even if it was in poor taste "Grom... generally a necromancer, or tools of necromancy, Consume souls... meaning in most cases they... get destroyed... or atleast tormented in the after with the scoundrel who trapped the soul... you basically just asked her if she was fine being tortured well we look for extra baubles... and well im not against grabbing a fancy trinket or two on the way that was found on the path we were allready going... its probably best if we dont get distracted and only stop to grab something thats within eyesight as we travel, never going more than a few minutes out of our way..."

felicity in this moment... was being full of shit frankly. if grom is established here as being easily distracted, and she was seen trying to stop him... well any future blame for getting sidetracked, would not logically go to her, she was serious about prioritizing lady syndra... but she was not above getting a bauble or two along the way.. smiling at miss inoria, felicity... or felaris as she knew her, was absolutely happy to take the compliment. her ears happily flicking up as she sat there, looking a tad proud.

[WickedCadrach]

Inoria gave a resolute nod, glad to see that she and Fel were of the same mind when it came to their quest. Yes, if she was doomed to travel in the company of this disreputable and cold-hearted dwarven mercenary, then she would take comfort in the company of the lovely, intelligent—and honest—rabbitfolk wizard. 

"Lady Silvane, I must admit, the only part of this quest that troubles me is the thought of venturing into the jungles. I am used to the climate of the north where bracing winds make the air clean and where the chill rolling down on the shadows of the mountains makes the warmth of a fire is a welcome comfort. I understand from my studies that jungles are an entirely different sort of place. Having been there before, do you have any parting recommendations or ways we can prepare for our journey?" 

Setting her goblet on the table once more, she clasped her hands in front of her to stop her nervousness from being so apparent. "I believe the only thing I require is your counsel and then I will be prepared to make this teleportation into Chult." 

 

(Provided Syndra doesn't give us a recommendation Inoria can act on, once her companions are ready, she's also ready to go.)

[NewHere]

Though the party could not see it under her mask, the old wizard smiled gently at the party's discussions. When she did speak she was forced to pause part-way through her reply "I'm hesitant to speculate on the details-" breaking into a fit of hacking coughs and takes a deep breath accompanied by a deep swig of wine before continue. "I'm hesitant to speculate on the specifics of the Soulmonger, there are so many unknowns. It could be a person, or an object, or a spell, or any number of other mysteries. The only thing I can say with confidence is that it causes this affliction, and I pray to Mystra above that it's destruction will end it. Time is indeed of the essence, though the jungles of Chult are dangerous, and you'll need to find out more about Chult before finding the Soulmonger. There should be good time to find treasures of your own, though if the Soulmonger is as powerful as it seems, I imagine it may be accompanied by treasure of it's own."

"In terms of the jungles? I have never personally entered them... I have visited Port Nyanzaru and know a little of their culture. That is where we will arrive, and you will have time to prepare and learn more. I believe there are guides who may have prescient advice, for a price I am sure. Everything has a price in Port Nyanzaru."

"If you are ready, say so now and... I shall bring us there. My friend Wakanga will be expecting me."

[roll to seduce]

He had a vague sense that his wording had been a tab blunt so he added:

"I won't fail the mission and let Syndra die, I'm just asking if there's enough time to follow leads to strengthen our fighting abilities. You know, weapon and magics. There'll be ruins, no? So I'm sure there're plenty of goodies to be found."

Grom was already getting excited and a little impatient. He was pacing back and forth while processing what had just been said. In his mind, this job would be bashing through skeletons in a forest and then destroy some magical thing, a simple straightforward and fun task. 

"I'm sure we'll find whatever we need once we get there. No one better than the locals to help figure out how to dress. And we don't got much time anyways. So lets go!"

He was practically air boxing, almost as if he was expecting to throw hands as soon as they arrived.

[DreamsnThings]

there was a short pause as Fel took a moment, considering her options... chult was not exactly the most hospitable place... and her companions were a socially inept dwarf an a naive sounding cleric... frankly this did not exactly seem like the safest option at all...

...especially as the dwarf seemed ready to be teleported right away... leaving the hammer she briefly considered swiping behind, for no reason...

the fuck?

"Mr. grom... your weapon is down by the door... as a reminder" the conversation the priestess was having with their employer made her pause... further, taking a breath Felicity chimed in "inoria, it might be a good idea to wear clothing that both covers your limbs and is tucked in tight to them, theres constantly something lingering in jungles trying to hurt you and deter creatures from touching it... if you have ever touched poison ivy theres similar things that are dozens if not hundreds of times worse, additionally thorned plants that will catch on any loose clothing tends to... not be great, if you dont like bugs some kind of deterent to avoid... constant insect bites would be good. I have a few references for survival shelters and tips as well, but i have a suspicion that our dwarven friend here has more survival experience than I do so Ill refrain from doing anything questionable there for now.. that said stocking up on food and water is probably advisable, never know whats safe to eat or drink, especially when some monsters like to prey on creatures that eat a poisonous fruit for an... easy treat... hope that helps a little"

[WickedCadrach]

Inoria swallowed, paling a shade at Fel's quick rundown of all the more mundane threats the jungles could pose. "I hadn't thought of the insects," she said thoughtfully, looking down at her pack. "But I did bring travel clothes. I wore my robes to be more befitting of the home of a great lady of Baldur's Gate, but after we arrive in Port Nyanzaru, I will change into something more trail appropriate. Perhaps the locals will have a recommendation against the insects as well?" she added hopefully. "In the temple, we learned a decoction of lime and lemon peel that could be mixed with oil and rubbed into the skin to ward off insects. It was rarely used, though. Not much call for it close to the mountains. And it was expensive with the lemon needing to come by ship from the south. I imagine there, where such things grow close at hand, it will be easier to make such a treatment." 

Feeling a bit better about how she would handle the stinging and biting insects of Chult, Inoria's thoughts went back to Fel's comments on the grasping thorns and toxic leaves of the local flora. Inoria was familiar with poison ivy, though Fel's assertion that there would be plants 'hundreds of times' more dangerous sent a flutter through her stomach that made her feel like she'd eaten something sour. Still, there was nothing for it. She must go, and so she was determined to go boldly. 

"Thank you," she said earnestly to Felaris before giving a somewhat weaker smile to Grom. "I'm certain between the three of us, we'll find solutions to any challenges the jungle may hold. And I have some coin still, so if we need to stock up on trail rations before our venture, I'm sure we can purchase some in Port Nyanzaru."

[roll to seduce]

"Right, fuck. I might need that lump of metal to swat down some bugs and zombies."

Grom jogged out to the porch to collect his hammer. Having no time for the servants to open the door he tackled it open, retrieving the maul he'd planted upside down by the door. Resting it on his shoulder he walked back to the room, about to drop his hammer on the floor until he felt Inoria's glare, choosing instead to lower it gently on the floor.

"I've found the best way to ward off insects is by smushing the with a blunt weapon. You should get one of those!"

Grom added, thinking mostly about the kind of insects you'd find in caverns such a firebeetles and giant ants.